printer

noun

print·​er ˈprin-tər 

: one that prints: such as

a

: a person engaged in printing

b

: a device used for printing

especially : a machine for printing from photographic negatives

c

: a device (such as an inkjet printer) that produces printouts

Examples of printer in a Sentence

I need a new printer for my office.

Benjamin Franklin was originally a printer.

The manuscript was sent to the printer yesterday.

Recent Examples on the Web

An image of ink droplets inside a printer has won first prize at the Nikon Small World photomicrography competition, which focuses on images taken through a microscope. — Jack Guy, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

At the design lab, staff members use massive 3D printers to manufacture design concepts for Xbox components. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026

Various items are prohibited across the complex, including phones, smartwatches, recording devices, and, curiously, blank double-sided pieces of printer paper. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

The biggest and potentially most important piece of hardware is a 3D printer. — Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing printer

• 3D printer
• impact printer
• ink-jet printer
• laser printer
• line printer
• non-impact printer
• printer's devil
• thermal printer

Rhymes for printer

• minter
• sinter
• splinter
• sprinter
• winter
• midwinter
• reenter
• overwinter
• teleprinter

Kids Definition

printer

noun

print·​er ˈprint-ər 

1

: a person whose business is printing

2

: a device used for printing or for making printouts